CATL launches Tianxing II and dual-battery range extension plan
CATL released its Tianxing II heavy truck full-scenario solution in Beijing on October 20, including a dual-battery system called 'electric-electric range extension.' The plan went into production upon launch, and its first signed batch covers 13,000 vehicles, involving companies including China Post, SF Express, Hunan Iron & Steel and Jianlong Group.
The electric-electric range extension system uses a 432 kWh or 513 kWh bottom-swap battery pack paired with a 77 kWh onboard range-extension pack. The two batteries operate independently; when the main drive battery's charge is insufficient, the range-extension battery can continue supplying power. Combined, the two batteries form vehicle energy configurations of 509 kWh and 590 kWh.
The large-capacity main drive battery is leased, while the 77 kWh range-extension battery is held by the vehicle owner as an onboard asset.
Battery swap network and standardized swap blocks
CATL released two new standardized swap blocks, the 260# and 300#, with capacities of 432 kWh and 513 kWh respectively, adapted to vehicles with different wheelbases. The Qiji 3.0 battery swap station retains a 5-minute swap capability; CATL says the new station raises single-day service frequency by 28% and cuts station construction cost by 10%.
Qiji battery swap has established five trunk routes, including Guangdong to Shanghai, Chengdu to Wuhan and Cangzhou to Yulin, with cumulative stable operating mileage across the network exceeding 5 million kilometers. CATL plans to have 900 swap stations built cumulatively by the end of 2026 and 2,000 by 2027.